Another Cruel Link in their Chain

Below is the poem entitled Another Cruel Link in their Chain which was written by poet
Terry
O'Leary. Please feel free to comment on this poem. However, please remember, PoetrySoup is a place of encouragement and growth.

Another Cruel Link in their Chain

Another Cruel Link in their Chain 1. Beginnings
Her babe was her joy, such a beautiful boy ,
and he suckled her breast till the end...
The Massa sought cash, bestowed mammy a lash,
sold her babe to a gentrified friend
It flits like a flash, a lithe leathery lash,
yet another cruel link in their chain
With mammy not there, Sammy dared not to dare
but to bide near the edge of the night
But nevertheless one must always outguess
or absorb burning stings of the bite
It flits like a flash, a lithe leathery lash,
yet another cruel link in their chain
Though learning the rules in the shadows of fools
as he grew to a leery lean lad
He often defied but he never once cried
although whipped at the post whene’er bad
It flits like a flash, a lithe leathery lash,
yet another cruel link in their chain
2. Youth
The cotton gin broke and nobody spoke,
so the Massa said “BENNY’S TO BLAME”
But Sammy said ‘No... Massa, jus caint be so,
no ’tain’t Benny, ’tain’t Benny’s sore name’
It flits like a flash, a lithe leathery lash,
yet another cruel link in their chain
“LOOK, SEE IN HIS EYES HOW THAT N*G*** BOY LIES” –
- replied Sam ‘no I’s tellin da truth’
But daring to speak earned him scars for his cheek
and so blemished the bloom of his youth
It flits like a flash, a lithe leathery lash,
yet another cruel link in their chain
“THE COTTON GIN’S BROKE, AND THAT JUST AIN’T NO JOKE”
and he called upon Benny to pay
“WELL, BEN’LL NOW SWIM FROM THE END OF A LIMB”
just as Sam feared the Massa would say
It flits like a flash, a lithe leathery lash,
yet another cruel link in their chain
Dark faces soon blanched; Benny bended a branch
near the base of a broken oak tree
His body hung bare as it swung in the air
and the buzzards and crows shrieked with glee
It flits like a flash, a lithe leathery lash,
yet another cruel link in their chain
3. Flight
Sam’s feet were unclad, as befitting a lad
as alone as a stone in his path
So oft on the run neath the sly sliding sun
being followed and feeling god’s wrath
It flits like a flash, a lithe leathery lash,
yet another cruel link in their chain
Surrounded and caught brought his efforts to naught,
child in chains at the end of his trek
Winds wept as he went, with his spirit unbent,
a cold collar of steel ’round his neck
It flits like a flash, a lithe leathery lash,
yet another cruel link in their chain
4. Life
Sam grew to a man, branded ‘boy’ by the klan,
as they spat on the trail that he tread
If he raises his gaze or he wanders or strays
the pack promise to sever his head
It flits like a flash, a lithe leathery lash,
yet another cruel link in their chain
Once Sam found a wife who they ripped from his life,
yes along with the babe at her breast
(Was it simply their greed or by heaven decreed? ...)
well, with hindsight you might guess the rest
It flits like a flash, a lithe leathery lash,
yet another cruel link in their chain
5. Endings
From phantoms of fright neath the frail foggy night
Sammy soared as he fled to escape
He no longer crawled (heeding freedom that called)
through the darkness, a black hole agape
It flits like a flash, a lithe leathery lash,
yet another cruel link in their chain
Unleashed! Frenzied dogs hounding Sam through the bogs,
(baying beasts neath the bloody red moon)
White fangs intermeshed as they mangled his flesh,
freedom flayed through the pale afternoon
It flits like a flash, a lithe leathery lash,
yet another cruel link in their chain
Sam’s body was torn leaving little to mourn
but there’s really no need to despair
And there’s no need to cry for his spirit can’t die,
being borne by bound men everywhere
It flits like a flash, a lithe leathery lash,
yet another cruel link in their chain

EPITAPH
SAM
Revolted and clashed ’gainst the cruel leather lash
and broke free from the choke of the chain

EPILOGUE
Those parts of the past that we gaze at aghast
reveal harrowing questions quite plain -
Why people so free, just like you, just like me,
were so happy inflicting such pain?
Why we bask in the throes of humanity’s woes
while we wait while the tyrannies reign?
And I’m wondering too (’cause I don’t have a clue)
... might we each be a link in their chain?

Post Comments

of how it was and how it is,
perchance the master gets his turn the whiz, where they roll back time, perhaps ther-is vengeance in an ironic situation,
on the plantation of Damnation...
the Lord thy God, is subtle, is.
Don

I thought this a masterful write Terry when I read it before , you have looked into this. I am halfway through the book roots at this moment in time and find it quite painful to read. xx
I hope I did it justice

Hi Terry good morning sir what a wonderful wirte to feast my eyes upon this day,, wonderful my friend, I watched roots and was appaleed how they treated this sums it up completely, have a great day, all the best Owen

WOW this is just incredible, Terry. A masterful ballad you have conceived. I was afraid to read it because I don't normally enjoy long poems. However, this one is very interesting and cleverly written. Also, it goes along with the theme of civil rights as I have been showing my class this week film clips from The Long Walk HOme, Mississippi Burning and Roots. Write on, poet, Write on.

A hauntingly harrowing write, Terry.
"Sammy" didn't stand a chance against the cruel hostilities of the powerful and influential. Still, he''d had the will and courage to try to escape their tyranny.:( A veritably sad tale. You'd better get busy with those gold buckles, Terry!:) Best wishes, Mikki

Well I'm about medium good in my "school" English, so it takes some time for me to read such a "long" poem ..... but you have done a very good job with this Terry!! - Bravo!! - Thank you for reading my last poem, always nice with your visit. - oxox / / Anne-Lise :)

you certainly tell it as it is Terry, also such a wide knowledge of these aspects,, which you bring to us, this is as usual amazing poetry, far above the norm, one day need to unmask such talent that pens these truly absorbing poems,, which in my opinion are under read....again wonderful poetry,,,